John “Dillard” Phillips

Dillard grew up in Cullowhee, North Carolina and graduated college at Western Carolina University where he received his Master’s Plus degree.  He began a teaching career in Thomasville, North Carolina where he taught for eight years.  He then went on to join the United States Army.  Upon honorable discharge from the Army, he continued his teaching career in Ellijay, Georgia and later retired from Clover School District in South Carolina.  For 17 of the 35 years he taught, he coached basketball and football and enjoyed every minute of it.  In addition to teaching and coaching, he was the co-owner of Phillips Pet Sitting Service along with his wife Jane.  He was a member of Loray Baptist Church, a die hard Carolina Tarheels fan, and a 46 years and 10 month friend of Bill W (FOB).

Those left to cherish Dillard’s memory include his wife of 31 years, Jane, of the home; brother, Gary Phillips and his wife, Sharon of Tacoma, Washington; Sister-in-law, Cathy Tolbert and her husband, Don of Gastonia; and a special cousin, Bascombe Hughes and his wife, Barbara of Powder Springs, Georgia.